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Comparison · Collab
BookStack vs SiYuan
A side-by-side editorial comparison of BookStack and SiYuan — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
BookStack vs SiYuan: at a glance
What is BookStack?
Five security releases in four months, this one closing an import RCE
BookStack's release stream since v26.05 has been almost entirely security patches. This release fixes a range of issues: attachments updatable without permission, XSS through the drawing endpoints, draft endpoints altering non-draft pages, other users' drafts leaking into search results, remote code execution through crafted ZIP imports, and page visibility not updating in recycle-bin scenarios. The feature release it patches, v26.05, added a page contents view, tag API and separately controlled revision permissions.
What is SiYuan?
SiYuan enters a rapid alpha sprint, shipping calendar upgrades, transitive backlinks, and export extensions daily.
SiYuan is deep in pre-release iteration for v3.8.6, pushing multiple alpha builds per day. Recent work lands in three areas: calendar and scheduling (ISO week numbers, undated task scheduling, inbox-to-document insertion), knowledge graph depth (transitive backlink display, global reference sorting), and editor ergonomics (Markdown parsing performance, memory efficiency on long documents, customizable context menu shortcuts). The product continues to target power users who want local-first data ownership with a dense feature surface.
BookStack vs SiYuan: editorial side-by-side
BookStack
5.0COLLAB
Five security releases in four months, this one closing an import RCE
◆ Current state
BookStack's release stream since v26.05 has been almost entirely security patches. This release fixes a range of issues: attachments updatable without permission, XSS through the drawing endpoints, draft endpoints altering non-draft pages, other users' drafts leaking into search results, remote code execution through crafted ZIP imports, and page visibility not updating in recycle-bin scenarios. The feature release it patches, v26.05, added a page contents view, tag API and separately controlled revision permissions.
◆ Where it's heading
The pattern is a substantial feature release followed by a run of point releases that are purely security, each crediting outside reporters. That cadence suggests sustained external scrutiny of the permission and import paths rather than a project shipping features in small increments. Every advisory in this run touches either permission checking or content handling on import and export — the two places where a self-hosted wiki with untrusted editors is most exposed.
◆ Prediction
Nothing in this stream points to the next feature release; on the current pattern the next tag is more likely to be another point release closing reported issues in the same permission and import surfaces.
SiYuan
6.3COLLAB
SiYuan enters a rapid alpha sprint, shipping calendar upgrades, transitive backlinks, and export extensions daily.
◆ Current state
SiYuan is deep in pre-release iteration for v3.8.6, pushing multiple alpha builds per day. Recent work lands in three areas: calendar and scheduling (ISO week numbers, undated task scheduling, inbox-to-document insertion), knowledge graph depth (transitive backlink display, global reference sorting), and editor ergonomics (Markdown parsing performance, memory efficiency on long documents, customizable context menu shortcuts). The product continues to target power users who want local-first data ownership with a dense feature surface.
◆ Where it's heading
The v3.8.6 alpha cadence points to a stable release within days. Simultaneous effort on export fidelity (JavaScript embeds in PDF and image output), calendar promotion from visualization to scheduling tool, and AI agent capabilities (TypeSafe decision models visible in beta builds) suggests SiYuan is converging its PKM core with structured personal workflow management. The mobile editor is also receiving parity work alongside desktop.
◆ Prediction
The v3.8.6 stable release is the immediate next step given the alpha pace. A more deliberate announcement around the AI agent decision model integration — first surfaced quietly in the beta channel — is the likely follow-on, as it represents the most directional capability added in this cycle.
Alternatives to BookStack and SiYuan
Other Collab products tracked by Sparkpulse, ranked by recent ship velocity. Each card links to a full editorial trajectory and lets you pivot into a head-to-head comparison with either BookStack or SiYuan.
Wiki.js
Wiki.js 3 beta adds Excalidraw live collaboration and SCIM — v3 production release getting close.
Wiki.js
Wiki.js 3.0 beta is building toward enterprise with real-time collaboration, SCIM, and expanding editor formats.
Happeo
Happeo is doubling down on intranet SEO content as its primary distribution channel for the mid-market.
Teable
Teable ships connected-app event triggers for automations, deepening its no-code workflow orchestration play.
Hive
Hive keeps iterating on proofing and dashboard UX — workmanlike improvements, no pivot.
See all BookStack alternatives → · See all SiYuan alternatives →
Recent activity from BookStack and SiYuan
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 11h agoSiYuanMarkdown performance, PlantUML preview, context menu shortcuts
- 20h agoSiYuanMobile command palette, startup responsiveness
- 2d agoSiYuanWorkspace storage stats, JS embeds in exports
- 2d agoSiYuanCommand panel insertion, transitive backlink display
- 2d agoSiYuanCalendar scheduling, ISO week numbers, inbox integration
- 3d agoSiYuanTransitive backlinks, reference sorting, calendar foundation
- 1mo agoBookStackSecurity release closes a ZIP-import RCE and permission bypasses
- 1mo agoBookStackSecurity release fixes five issues including auth matching
- 2mo agoBookStackURL filtering, redirects and permission checks hardened
- 3mo agoBookStackAttachment metadata leak and file:// export risk closed
- 4mo agoBookStackv26.05 adds page contents view, tag API and revision permissions
- 4mo agoBookStackRate limiting added to MFA verification routes
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between BookStack and SiYuan?
They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. SiYuan is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 6.3 vs 5.0), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.
Is BookStack better than SiYuan?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. SiYuan is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 6.3 vs 5.0), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other Collab products to evaluate alongside.
What are the best alternatives to BookStack?
Top BookStack alternatives in Collab are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "BookStack alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/bookstack for the full list with editorial commentary on each.
What are the best alternatives to SiYuan?
Top SiYuan alternatives in Collab are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "SiYuan alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/siyuan for the full list with editorial commentary on each.